Foundayo Side Effects: What to Expect and How to Manage Them

The sections below explain some Foundayo side effects in detail, as well as tips to help prevent or manage them.

1. Nausea

Nausea is the most common side effect of Foundayo. In studies, nausea affected 26%-35% of people who took Foundayo, compared with 10% of those who did not. It was mild or moderate for most people.

Nausea is that feeling that you might throw up, but it doesn’t always lead to vomiting.

Nausea is more likely to happen when you first start taking Foundayo, when your dose is increased, or at higher doses. Your prescriber will usually start you on a low dose and slowly increase it over time to help ease stomach-related side effects. Even with this gradual approach, nausea can still happen, but it is usually mild to moderate and often improves as your body adjusts.

Tips to help prevent or ease nausea:

• Plan smaller, more frequent meals (instead of two or three large ones) and stop eating as soon as you feel full.
• Avoid high-fat foods, such as cheese, butter, and greasy foods
• Choose bland foods, such as saltine crackers, rice, or toast.
• Sip on clear liquids throughout the day to avoid dehydration.
• Try ginger or peppermint tea, or use acupressure wristbands.

Note that Foundayo can be taken with or without food. You can try taking it with food to see if it helps you feel less nauseous.

Tell your health care provider if nausea worsens or doesn’t go away. They may adjust your dose, keep you on the same dose longer, or recommend medicines to help with nausea. If symptoms are severe or do not improve, your health care provider may stop your Foundayo treatment.

2. Constipation

Constipation is a common side effect of Foundayo. In studies, 20%-27% of people taking Foundayo had constipation, compared with 9% of those not taking it.

Symptoms may include fewer bowel movements (generally less than three per week), hard poop, or feeling like you need to go but can’t.

Tips to help manage constipation:

• Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.
• Slowly add or increase high-fiber foods into your diet, such as fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains. Most adults should aim for 25-38 grams of fiber each day.
• Moving your body can help move your bowels. Try to get more exercise, such as walking or swimming. 
• Ask your health care provider if an over-the-counter (OTC) stool softener, laxative, or fiber supplement like psyllium may help.

Keep track of your symptoms and tell your health care provider if constipation worsens or does not improve. They may adjust your Foundayo dose, delay your next dose increase, or stop the medicine.

If you already have constipation, it can continue or sometimes worsen during treatment. So, it’s best to gradually increase dietary fiber and fluid intake to address existing constipation problems before starting a GLP-1 medicine like Foundayo, if possible.

3. Diarrhea

Diarrhea is another common Foundayo side effect. In studies, diarrhea affected 21%-25% of people taking Foundayo, compared with 11% of people not taking it.

Symptoms of diarrhea may include loose or watery stools, frequent or urgent bowel movements, and belly pain.

Diarrhea is more likely to happen when starting Foundayo or increasing your dose, but it often improves over time.

Tips to help manage diarrhea:

• Drink fluids often to prevent dehydration. Opt for water, broth, or electrolyte drinks such as Gatorade or Pedialyte.
• Choose bland foods, such as rice, bananas, or toast.
• Avoid fried foods, and limit dairy products such as butter and cream.
• Ask your health care provider if an over-the-counter (OTC) antidiarrheal medicine or probiotic supplement may help.

Severe diarrhea can cause dehydration, which is a potentially serious condition that may lead to kidney damage. Tell your health care provider if diarrhea is severe or does not go away. They may adjust your dose. If symptoms do not improve, your health care provider may tell you to stop taking Foundayo.

4. Vomiting

Vomiting may occur along with nausea. In studies, vomiting affected 13%-24% of people taking Foundayo, compared with 4% of people not taking it.

Vomiting is more common early in treatment, after dose increases, or at higher doses. It often improves over time, but may be severe in some cases.

Tips to help prevent vomiting are similar to those for nausea (mentioned above). Others include:

• Take small sips of clear fluids to avoid dehydration.
• Eat light, bland foods when you feel able.
• Avoid strong smells or foods that trigger nausea.

Contact your health care provider right away if vomiting is ongoing, severe, or if you have signs of dehydration, such as dizziness, dry mouth, or dark-colored urine. They will recommend the next steps, including possible treatments for vomiting and whether to stop Foundayo.

5. Upset stomach (indigestion, stomach pain, and acid reflux)

Besides nausea, vomiting, and bowel issues, other stomach-related side effects can happen with Foundayo.

In studies, indigestion (also called heartburn or dyspepsia) affected up to 16% of people taking Foundayo, and stomach pain affected up to 14%; both were more common in those taking Foundayo than in those not taking it. Acid reflux, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), was also reported more often in people taking Foundayo.

Symptoms may include:

• Heartburn or a sour taste in the mouth
• Burning or discomfort in your abdomen
• Feeling overly full after eating

Some people may notice new or worsening acid reflux when starting Foundayo, especially while the dose is being increased. In some cases, acid reflux may improve over time as weight loss occurs.

Tips to manage indigestion or acid reflux:

• Eat smaller meals and avoid overeating.
• Avoid trigger foods, such as fatty, spicy, or acidic foods.
• Stay upright for at least 30 minutes after eating.
• Avoid eating late at night.

Let your health care provider know if symptoms continue or feel severe. They may adjust your dose or recommend short-term OTC or prescription medicines to help manage symptoms. Rare but serious side effects, such as inflammation of the pancreas or gallbladder issues, can also cause stomach pain and require medical care right away.

6. Bloating, gas, and burping

Foundayo may cause belly bloating. You may also pass gas or burp more than usual. In studies, bloating (abdominal distension) affected about 8% of people taking Foundayo, and belching and gas were also reported more often in those taking Foundayo than in people not taking it.

Tips to help manage these symptoms:

• Eat slowly to avoid swallowing air while eating or drinking.
• Avoid fizzy or carbonated drinks.
• Limit foods that can cause excess gas, such as beans, onions, or fried foods.

Tell your health care provider if bloating or gas feels severe or does not get better. They may suggest ways to manage symptoms or adjust your treatment.

7. Headache or tiredness

Headache and fatigue (feeling tired) can happen while taking Foundayo. In studies, up to 9% of people taking Foundayo experienced headache and/or fatigue. These side effects are usually mild or manageable; no study participants had to stop treatment because of headache or fatigue.

It’s important to stay hydrated, eat nutritious foods, and maintain a regular sleep schedule. An OTC pain reliever can also help with headaches.

Tell your health care provider if headaches or fatigue do not improve.

8. Hair loss

Hair loss or hair thinning can happen with Foundayo. In studies, 4%-5% of people taking Foundayo reported hair loss, compared with 2% of people not taking it.

Hair loss may be related to weight loss and is usually temporary. Eat a balanced diet with enough protein and nutrients to support healthy hair growth. If you feel unsure what to eat, consider consulting a registered dietitian for personalized guidance.

Talk to your health care provider if hair loss continues or concerns you.

Reducing Your Risk of Foundayo Side Effects

You can lower your risk of side effects by:

• Taking Foundayo exactly as prescribed
• Keeping a simple log of any new or changing symptoms to share with your health care provider
• Following the recommended dosing schedule, including gradual dose increases, and not changing your dose unless your prescriber tells you to
• Staying hydrated and following a balanced diet to help manage stomach-related side effects
• Sharing a complete list of your current medicines, supplements, and over-the-counter products with your health care provider to help avoid interactions

Tell your health care provider about side effects that do not improve or interfere with your daily life. They can review your symptoms and help decide whether changes to your treatment plan are needed.